Potencial Biodiesel

What Potencial Biodiesel does

Potencial Biodiesel is the principal biodiesel production entity of Grupo Potencial, a privately held Brazilian conglomerate headquartered in Curitiba, Paraná, with operating roots dating to a 1954 family fuel station in Lapa. Founded in 2012 and recognized by Brazil's National Petroleum Agency (ANP) as the country's largest biodiesel producer in 2020, the company operates two transesterification plants in Lapa combining for 2,500 m³/day of production (up to 900 million liters annually). Its second plant, commissioned in October 2020, introduced Brazil's first glycerolysis process, which converts biodiesel byproducts (fatty acids and sludge) back into finished biodiesel and pharmaceutical-grade glycerin, effectively eliminating waste streams. The company also produces Arla 32 (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) at a dedicated 1 million-liter-per-month facility and operates an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited in-house laboratory for quality control.

Revenue is generated through a vertically integrated, multi-leg model: (i) core biodiesel and refined glycerin production (650 million liters of biodiesel and 102,500 tons of other products commercialized in 2023), (ii) branded and bulk fuel distribution via Potencial Combustíveis and Jeta Combustíveis (TRR), supplying PMAX gasoline, Diesel S10/S500, and ethanol across 150 branded stations, 12 branches, and 2,000+ municipalities in Southern, Southeastern, and Central-West Brazil, (iii) international trading of petrochemicals, biofuels, and fossil fuels through BWI Trading (active since 2018, 500% growth from 2024 to 2025), (iv) storage operations at the BTAR terminal in Betim (22 million liters static capacity), (v) road transportation of hazardous liquid cargo via BWT Transporte e Logística with a telematics-equipped fleet, and (vi) port logistics at Paranaguá through BWSP. The company serves agriculture, transportation and logistics, industrial/manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and individual consumer segments, and is expanding backward into soybean crushing via a R$1.7 billion facility scheduled for 2026 in Lapa, designed to process 3,500 tonnes of soybeans per day (5% of Paraná state production).

The business is entirely family-controlled by the Hammerschmidt family through Grupo Potencial, with Arnoldo Hammerschmidt serving as both CEO and President of the Board. Pricing on the regulated retail side follows ANP Resolution 795/2019 transparency rules, while bulk and industrial sales are quote-based; the company also issues CBIO carbon credits under RenovaBio (certified since 2020) and holds ISO 9001, 14001, 17025, 39001, ISCC-EU, and SASSMAQ certifications. Key customer-facing technology includes the Potpay mobile app delivering instant fuel discounts at branded stations. The group has announced no external funding rounds and has self-financed all major expansions, including the R$1.7 billion soybean crushing investment.

Name

Potencial Biodiesel

Legal name

Potencial Biodiesel

Website

https://potencial.net.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Potencial Biodiesel is the biodiesel production arm of Brazilian conglomerate Grupo Potencial and ANP-recognized largest biodiesel producer in Brazil, operating two plants in Lapa, Paraná with 900 million liters annual capacity and a vertically integrated chain spanning soybean crushing, fuel distribution, branded retail stations, storage terminals, trucking, port logistics, and international trading.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiesel Manufacturing

NAICS

Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing (311224), Grain and Oilseed Milling (3112)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiesel (FAME) Production (EUAAAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vegetable Oil Crushing & Refining (Soy, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Corn, Cottonseed) (AFAKAEAA), Biofuel Distribution & Fuel Marketing (Wholesale/Retail) (EUAAAHAI), Biofuels & Renewable Fuels Switching (Biomethane/RNG, Bio-oils, Sustainable Biomass) (EUABAJAD), Biofuel Plant EPC, O&M & Process Technology Providers (EUAAAHAK)

Keywords

• Biodiesel production
• Renewable fuel manufacturing
• Soybean crushing operations
• Fuel distribution services
• Glycerin production

Headquarters

HQ city

Curitiba

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Biodiesel Production and Sales: Core revenue stream from producing and selling biodiesel, the company's primary product. In 2023, sold 650 million liters of biodiesel and 102.5 thousand tons of other products.
2. Fuel Distribution: Distribution of gasoline (PMAX, PMAX Super), diesel (S10, S500), and ethanol through branded station network and direct sales to customers.
3. Refined Glycerin Production: Since 2018, producing refined glycerin (USP grade) as a byproduct of biodiesel transesterification, sold to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.
4. Soybean Crushing and Byproducts: Soybean crushing operations producing soybean meal, soybean hulls, soybean oil, and soybean sludge for animal feed and industrial applications.
5. International Trading (BWI): International trading of petrochemicals, biofuels, and fossil fuels, including methanol, sodium methylate, crude glycerin, refined glycerin, and tocopherol. Since 2018, facilitating international commerce with personalized logistics solutions.
6. Storage Terminal Operations (BTAR): Storage terminal in Betim, Minas Gerais with static capacity of 22 million liters and monthly movement capacity of up to 120 million liters.
7. Road Transportation Services (BWT): Road transportation of liquid hazardous cargo, bulk liquids, maritime containers, and iso-tanks including fuels, chemicals, glycerin, degummed oil, and methanol.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Potencial Biodiesel is Brazil's largest biodiesel producer (recognized by ANP in 2020), manufacturing up to 900 million liters per year from two plants in Lapa, Paraná through transesterification and proprietary glycerolysis technology. The company produces and sells refined glycerin, Arla 32 (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), soybean meal, soybean oil, soybean hulls, tocopherol, and sodium methylate, while operating a fully integrated ecosystem that includes soybean crushing, fuel distribution across 150 branded stations, road transportation of hazardous cargo, port logistics, storage terminals, and international trading.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Usibem: Environmental program for collection and recycling of used cooking oil, transforming it into biodiesel. Has transformed over 33.5 million liters of used oil into biodiesel, preserving more than 835 billion liters of water from contamination.
• Programa Qualidade Máxima
• Potpay
• Mulheres com Potencial
• Revelar o Extraordinário

Products and services

• Biodiesel (B100) Biodiesel produced through transesterification and proprietary glycerolysis processes. Sold to fuel distributors, industrial customers, transport fleets, and used as renewable fuel additive. In 2023 the company commercialized 650 million liters of biodiesel.
• Gasoline PMAX Gasoline sold under the PMAX brand by Potencial Combustíveis for retail consumers at Postos Potencial branded stations and for industrial/reseller customers.
• Gasoline PMAX Super (Additivated) Premium additivated gasoline sold under the PMAX Super brand through the Postos Potencial retail network.
• Diesel S10 PMAX Low-sulfur diesel S10 distributed to agricultural, transportation, industrial, and retail customers via Postos Potencial and Jeta TRR operations.
• Diesel S500 PMAX Standard diesel S500 distributed to agricultural, transportation, industrial, and retail customers via Potencial Combustíveis wholesale and Jeta TRR operations.
• Ethanol (Biofuel) Hydrous and/or anhydrous ethanol distributed through the Postos Potencial retail network and wholesale channels as a renewable biofuel.
• Refined Glycerin (Glicerina Refinada - USP grade) Pharmaceutical-grade refined glycerin (USP / European Pharmacopoeia) produced as a byproduct of the biodiesel transesterification process. Sold to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, including via BWI international trading.
• Crude Glycerin (Glicerina Bruta) Crude glycerin produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production at Potencial Agro, sold as industrial raw material.
• Tocopherol (Tocoferol) Natural tocopherol (Vitamin E) extracted from soybean oil refining, sold for use in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries including through BWI international trading.
• Potencial Arla 32 (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) Arla 32 (Diesel Exhaust Fluid / urea automotive solution) produced at the company's own plant with capacity up to 1 million liters per month, meeting ISO 22241 and EURO 6 standards. Distributed through Postos Potencial and wholesale channels.
• Soybean Meal (Farelo de Soja) Soybean meal produced by Potencial Agro's soybean crushing operations, sold as animal feed ingredient.
• Soybean Hulls (Casca de Soja) Soybean hulls produced by Potencial Agro's soybean crushing operations for animal feed and industrial applications.
• Soybean Oil (Óleo de Soja) Crude degummed soybean oil produced by Potencial Agro's soybean crushing operations, used as primary feedstock for the biodiesel transesterification process and sold externally.
• Soybean Sludge (Borra de Soja) Soybean sludge byproduct of refining operations, valorized through the proprietary glycerolysis process that converts it back into biodiesel.
• Sodium Methylate (Metilato de Sódio) Sodium methylate traded internationally by BWI for petrochemical industry clients including use as a biodiesel production catalyst.
• Methanol (Metanol) Methanol traded internationally by BWI Trading for petrochemical industry clients.
• TRR Fuel Distribution (Jeta Combustíveis) Transportador-Revendedor-Retalhista (TRR) fuel distribution services delivered by Jeta Combustíveis to businesses, rural properties, and industries throughout Paraná, offering gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and Arla 32.
• Postos Potencial Branded Fuel Station Network Network of 150 branded fuel stations across Brazil's Southern and Southeastern regions offering gasoline, diesel, ethanol, Arla 32, convenience store services, and Potpay loyalty program instant discounts to end consumers.
• BWT Road Transportation Services Road transportation of liquid hazardous cargo, bulk liquids, maritime containers and iso-tanks including fuels, chemicals, glycerin, degummed oil, and methanol, with advanced telematics, online cameras, telemetry sensors, fatigue detection, and a 24/7 control tower.
• BTAR Storage Terminal Services Fuel storage terminal services in Betim, Minas Gerais (Grande Belo Horizonte region) with 22 million liters static storage capacity and 120 million liters monthly movement capacity, serving as a strategic distribution base on the Fernão Dias highway.
• BWSP Port Logistics Services Port logistics, retro-port operations, and container transportation and storage at Paranaguá (PR), located 2.3 km from Paranaguá Port, connecting the group's operations to international markets via BWI Trading.
• BWI International Trading Services International trading of petrochemicals, biofuels, and fossil fuels including methanol, sodium methylate, crude glycerin, refined glycerin, and tocopherol, with personalized logistics solutions delivered with 500% growth from 2024 to 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in pollutant gas emissions with 100% biodiesel (B-100)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Associação Borda VivaminorOthersPartnership for recycling used employee uniforms into school backpacks. The initiative transformed uniforms into 292 backpacks for children of Group employees through the Casa da Costura workshop, supporting social development and women's empowerment in the Borda do Campo community in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná.
• Hospital Pequeno PríncipeminorOthersSupport for Hospital Pequeno Príncipe, a reference in treatment of children and adolescents in Brazil.
• Hospital Angelina CaronminorOthersSupport for Hospital Angelina Caron, particularly in the pediatric sector, providing healthcare assistance.
• AFECE - Associação Franciscana de Educação ao Cidadão EspecialminorOthersSupport for AFECE, which provides education, health, and social assistance to people with intellectual disabilities of high specificity.
• Incanto - Instituto de Cultura Arte e Novas TecnologiasminorOthersCultural partnership supporting the Instituto Incanto, which focuses on culture, art, and new technologies.
• Centro da Juventude Lapa (CEJU)minorOthersSupport for Centro da Juventude Lapa, a youth center in the Lapa region.
• MOVER-Ipiranga Program PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in the MOVER program by Ipiranga, which evaluates transport carriers across 30+ indicators of safety, efficiency, and productivity.
• Family Farmers (Agricultura Familiar)coreOthersPartnership with family agriculture promoting productive inclusion, regional development, and value generation throughout the biodiesel chain.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Alesat: Brazilian fuel distributor with regional concentration, comparable to Potencial Combustíveis in the B2B fuel distribution segment, though with a different geographic emphasis.

Emerging players

• Inpasa: Brazilian biofuel producer focused on corn ethanol with growing biodiesel presence. Comparable as a domestic biofuel producer scaling capacity, though feedstock differs from Potencial's soybean base.
• FS Bioenergia: Brazilian corn ethanol and biodiesel producer. Compares on biofuel production from agricultural feedstocks and is similarly positioned in the Brazilian biofuel value chain, though with a different feedstock base.

Broad incumbents

• ADM: Global agribusiness with soybean crushing, refined oils, and biodiesel/biofuel operations across the Americas. Comparable as a vertically integrated oilseed processor and biofuel producer serving food, feed, and fuel markets.
• Ipiranga: Major Brazilian fuel distributor with a nationwide branded station network. Operates the MOVER program referenced in Potencial's certifications and competes directly with Potencial Combustíveis in fuel distribution.
• Raízen: Brazil's largest fuel distributor and a major producer of sugarcane ethanol and biodiesel via joint venture structure. Comparable as a downstream fuel distribution incumbent and biofuel producer serving overlapping Brazilian end markets.
• Bunge: Global agribusiness with substantial Brazilian soybean crushing and biodiesel operations. Comparable on the upstream soybean crushing, oil refining, and biofuel production side, though at significantly larger scale and global footprint.
• Vibra Energia: Brazil's largest fuel distribution network (formerly BR Distribuidora), with significant exposure to gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and biodiesel distribution. Comparable on the distribution side of Potencial's business across branded and B2B channels.

Direct peers

• Granol: Brazilian biodiesel producer and grain processor with soybean crushing capacity. Directly competes with Potencial in FAME biodiesel production and is similarly vertically integrated into oilseed processing for the Brazilian fuel market.
• Caramuru Alimentos: One of Brazil's largest biodiesel producers and soybean processors, with integrated crushing and refined oil operations. Directly comparable to Potencial's biodiesel and soybean crushing business, particularly relevant given Potencial's upcoming R$1.7B crushing plant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM9IGpSJW2MVCaBcpF-a9ag/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/potencialoficial
• LinkedInbr.linkedin.com/company/potencialoficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/potencialoficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Potencial Biodiesel